TE Rodney Williams signed off Steelers’ practice squad to their active roster

A handful of teammates joined a few media members in circling Rodney Williams’ locker at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex after Wednesday’s practice. The players playfully held up phones and asked sarcastic questions to the man they call “Hot Rod.”

On the day his promotion to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 53-man roster was officially announced, Williams was asked how long he’d been this popular a man.

“Um, about an hour and a half,” Williams said, laughing.

“Just my teammates being happy for me, it means a lot.”

Part of the organization for 13 months, Williams is on an NFL active roster for the first time. In the wake of the hamstring injury suffered by Pat Freiermuth during Sunday’s loss at the Houston Texans, Williams is the proverbial next man up for the Steelers’ tight end corps.

Williams was promoted from off the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

“Rodney, he’s (one of) the team favorites,” tight end Darnell Washington said.

“He is the type who will fit into any cliques. For sure in the tight end group, we are happy for him, and everybody can’t wait for him to get out there and put some good stuff on tape.”

The Steelers swapped Williams and receiver Dez Fitzpatrick from the active roster and practice squad. They also on Wednesday announced the addition of tight end Noah Gindorff to the practice squad.

But the day belonged to Williams, who during six college seasons at Tennessee-Martin converted from wide receiver and became an FCS All-America tight end. Undrafted last year, Williams was cut by the Denver Broncos during their training camp but hooked on to the Steelers’ practice squad last September.

“It means a lot,” Williams said of being on an active roster for the first time. “All the hard work coming to fruition, and I am excited to see what the future holds for me Sunday.”

Williams joins Washington and Connor Heyward as healthy tight ends on the roster in advance of Sunday’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Wednesday's camp star: Hot Rod Williams

"I mean, I know the situation. I knew the situation before I got here. Coach Fredo & Coach Tomlin never sugarcoated or hid anything from me, so I know my role on this team is not necessarily gonna be on the offense."https://t.co/AqAIt6VbeE

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 9, 2023

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Williams was a playmaker during training camp, looking every bit the part of an NFL-caliber tight end. But he was stuck in a numbers game behind Freiermuth, Heyward, Washington and veteran Zach Gentry on a team that typically only keeps three tight ends.

Williams said that while cutdown day five weeks ago was difficult, the organization informed him that he had made progress and that it was expected he’d get an opportunity during this regular season. The Steelers kept their word when Freiermuth went down, choosing to promote Williams rather than sign Gentry (since cut by the Steelers) off the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad.

“This is my second year in the offense, so this is pretty smooth for me,” Williams said. “When I hear the call, I don’t have to think about what I have, I can read the defense and … execute my assignment.”

The scouting report on Williams has always been that he could contribute in the receiving game. The question was whether his blocking was pro-caliber. Williams acknowledged he’d never been a traditional in-line blocker while in college. But coaches and teammates have noted his improvements in that area since he’s joined the Steelers.

“I can be a vertical threat from the tight end position,” William said. “I think the strong suit of my game is the pass game and getting open, but I am also not afraid to mix it up and hold down the backside and have Darnell hold down the front for us.”

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